Statement re Chairman Sir Nigel Mobbs
Slough Estates PLC
For immediate release
21st October, 2005
SLOUGH ESTATES PLC
DEATH OF SIR NIGEL MOBBS
Slough Estates plc is today sad to announce the death of Sir Nigel Mobbs, who
stood down as Chairman in August this year owing to ill health. The thoughts of
everyone at Slough Estates are with his family.
A Director since 1963, he became Chairman and Chief Executive in 1976, Executive
Chairman from 1996-1999 and then Chairman up until August this year.
Chairman, Paul Orchard-Lisle said: 'It is with great sadness that we announce
the death of Sir Nigel. After forty-five years with the company and forty-two on
the Board, Sir Nigel's death represents the end of an era. It would be hard to
overstate his contribution to Slough Estates, and indeed to the wider business
community and to public life. I shall miss his inspirational leadership,
remarkable business acumen and exhilarating companionship.
'The leadership succession that he had so carefully planned, by bringing in Ian
Coull as Chief Executive at the start of 2003, leaves Slough Estates in good
shape and robustly positioned for the future. Sir Nigel leaves a strong business
with first rate assets and Management and, as he would have wished, well primed
for the next phase of its growth at a time when the property sector appears set
for a period of rapid development.'
Chief Executive, Ian Coull said: 'Sir Nigel's drive, energy and vision have been
central to making Slough Estates what it is today. Personally I am much indebted
to him for his wise counsel and shall also miss his unfailing sense of humour.
Although we are all deeply saddened that this has happened, he would have been
the first to insist that Slough Estates continues to innovate and adapt as it
did through his positive leadership over the last five decades. Today our clear
and focused objective is to be the prime provider of flexible business space in
key markets, which play to the strengths Sir Nigel was instrumental in building
up over many years.'
Paul Orchard-Lisle became Chairman in August 2005 and the Board has asked him to
continue in this role for the time being. A selection committee to look for a
long term successor will shortly be appointed.
Slough Estates is a leading provider of flexible business space in business
parks in Western Europe and North America, with over 1500 customers occupying
2,996,967 square metres of business space, with a total value of £3.9 billion
(as at 30th June, 2005). Slough Estates' properties are in suburban locations in
close proximity to the main business centres, where there is long term demand
for business accommodation to serve these key economic regions. The company's
main activities are currently based around London, Brussels, Paris, Düsseldorf,
San Francisco and San Diego and the company continues to develop new business
parks with the long-term objective of building shareholder value and enhancing
its reputation for quality buildings offering excellent value to customers.
www.sloughestates.com
For further information contact:
Slough Estates Shared Value Limited
Michael Waring, Investor Relations Andrew Best
Tel: 01753 537 171 Tel: 020 7321 5022
Photograph available on request
Notes to Editors
Sir Nigel Mobbs - Biography
Chairman of Slough Estates plc from 1976-2005 (Chief Executive 1976-1996) (he
joined Slough Estates in 1960 and became a Director in 1963)
Education
Born in Birmingham in 1937. Educated at Marlborough College (1951-1955) and
Christ Church, Oxford (1956-1959) where he read Engineering. Hon.Dsc. from City
University, Hon.DUniv from University of Buckingham, Hon.LLD from University of
Reading and Honorary Doctorate from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University
College.
Honours
Knight Batchelor 1986
Knight of the Order of St. John 1997
Selection of Charitable and Honorary Appointments
Lord-Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire 1997-
High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire 1982-1983
Justice of Peace 1997-
Chairman - Historic Royal Palaces 2003-2005
Member of Council of the Royal Veterinary College 1999-
Commissioner of The Royal Hospital Chelsea 2000-2005
Governor of Stowe School
Chairman of Stowe House Preservation Trust
Past Master of Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
Honorary Colonel No.1 Royal Buckinghamshire Yeomanry
Chairman of Wembley Task Force 1999-2002
Chairman of Aims of Industry 1985-2001
Member of Council of University of Buckingham 1983 -1998
Chairman of Council of the University of Buckingham 1987 -1998
Member, Commonwealth War Graves Commission 1988 -1997
President of The Buckinghamshire Foundation
Patron of BABC (Buckinghamshire Association of Boys Clubs) - Clubs for Young
People
Selection of Property and other Corporate Appointments
Chairman of Bovis Homes 1997-2005
Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Kingfisher (1995-1996) (1982-1995)
Director of Barclays Bank 1979-2003
Director of Cookson 1985-1993
Director of Howard de Walden Estates 1989-2005
Honorary Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
President of British Property Federation 1979-1981
Member of Committee on Corporate Governance (Hampel)
Chairman of Charterhouse Group
President of British Council for Offices 1990-1991
Chairman of Property Services Agency Advisory Board, Department of the
Environment 1980-1986
Honorary Fellow, College of Estate Management
Outside Interests
Riding, Skiing, Travel, Golf
Personal
Married Pamela Jane, second daughter of 2nd Viscount Kemsley. One son and twin
daughters.